Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Helminthopsis
open-in-new
<p><i>Helminthopsis</i> is the <a href="/facts/Ichnogenus/edWeWT20">ichnogenus</a> of a type of <a href="/facts/Trace_fossil/kaucgzNj">trace fossil</a> that is found preserved on the bedding planes of fine-grained <a href="/facts/Sedimentary_rocks/HQDCjrco">sedimentary rocks</a>. It is characterized by short, curvilinear, non-branching, parallel-sided, unlined traces on bedding surfaces. It is thought to represent the submarine feeding trails of an invertebrate organism that worked the surface of muddy substrates in search of food. Because <i>Helminthopsis</i> traces never cross over themselves, the ichnogenus is distinguished from similar traces assigned to the <i><a href="/facts/Gordia/zm1cr6JH">Gordia</a></i> ichnogenus. The similar sounding, but now obsolete, ichnogenus <i><a href="/facts/Helminthoida/pldHQt9g">Helminthoida</a></i> refers to a somewhat similar trace characterized by regular, back-and-forth meanders, whereas <i>Helminthopsis</i> traces are irregular. </p>